Former Congressman Hopes To Become State AG

First Iraq veteran elected to Congress & Candidate for Attorney General in Pennsylvania Patrick Murphy arrives at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America's third annual Heroes Celebration at the Twentieth Century Fox Studio Lot on April 27, 2011 in Los Angeles (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for IAVA) (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for IAVA)

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — When Tom Corbett became Pennsylvania’s governor, he left his old position of attorney general vacant. Although voters won’t choose the new attorney general until next spring, one candidate has already hit the campaign trail.

The first thing Attorney General candidate Patrick Murphy wants people to know is what he can bring to the office.

“My background as a former prosecutor in the Army JAG corps, as someone who is the son of a Philadelphia police officer, as someone who has devoted his life to protect people whether it was in the army or in public service,” he explains. “And I think I bring that attribute to that job.”

A former suburban Philadelphia Congressman, Murphy is the first Democrat to announce for Governor Tom Corbett’s old job.

He says the job is about “cracking down on crime whether it happens on the street, whether it happens in the corporate board room, or whether it happens in Harrisburg when people are feathering their own nest.”

Murphy says the events of September 11th changed his life.

“On September 12th, I volunteered for combat and a few months later I shipped out,” he recalls.

In 2006, Murphy became the first Iraq War vet elected to Congress.

“That’s why I wear the 82nd Airborne pin on my lapel because that’s what got me into this type of public service,” he gestures towards the small pin on his lapel.

Two years after being elected to Congress, Murphy was the first Pennsylvania official to endorse Barack Obama.

“Do I agree with him on everything? Absolutely not,” Murphy laughs. “My wife doesn’t agree with me on everything. I have a mixed marriage. My wife’s Republican, and I’m Democrat.”
And Murphy says he’s a pro-choice Catholic.